Expo: NeuroNarratives – Shifting Perspectives Through Art and Neuroscience

From 2 until 4 October Waag proudly hosts the exhibition of the NeuroNarratives art-science residencies. Five pairs of artists and scientists worked together to translate socially urgent neuroscientific findings into experiential, mixed-media artworks.

The works explore a range of important questions in neuroscience: how calling neurodivergence a “dysfunction” can reflect social biases; how we find a sense of order when our senses are overwhelmed; how meditation and hypnosis affect our attention; how we experience signals from inside our bodies, such as our heartbeat and breathing; and how complex systems like the brain depend on many parts working together.

Although the projects use different approaches, they share a common goal: to make the hidden workings of the mind easier to experience and understand, inviting viewers to connect with and explore their own inner experiences.

Symposium

On Saturday 3 October a symposium will bring together NeuroNarratives' artist and scientist residents to share more about their projects, their research, and their collaborative process. The symposium takes place in collaboration with Art of Neuroscience, a platform built around an annual international art competition at the intersection of neuroscience and art. During the symposium, the winners of the 2026 Art of Neuroscience competition will be announced.

At the end of the symposium, there will be a drinks reception, providing an opportunity to socialize and get to know fellow attendees. Attending the reception without the symposium is also possible. Please let us know you will be attending the symposium and/or reception by registering via the following link:

Register for symposium + reception drinks here

Weekend of Science

On Sunday 4 October a special installation for children and teenagers will be available as part of the Weekend of Science. This installation will not be available on the other days.

About NeuroNarratives

NeuroNarratives was initiated to answer profound questions: Can understanding the brain bring meaningful change to society? Can knowledge of how our brains and minds work challenge our beliefs, confront our biases, and reshape how we think? NeuroNarratives explores these questions by connecting artists and neuroscientists in horizontal collaborations, turning complex scientific findings into original, experiential works of art. You can read more about the NeuroNarratives activities and residencies on the official NeuroNarratives website.

About Art of Neuroscience

Art of Neuroscience is a platform founded in 2011 at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. It organizes an annual art-neuroscience competition and symposia exploring the convergence of art, technology, and neuroscience. Read more on the Art of Neuroscience website.

Participating Artists and Scientists

Armand Lesecq (Artist) - Haoyu (Nina) Zhou (Scientist)

Eleni Kamma (Artist) - Maartje de Jong (Scientist)

Kurina Sohn (Artist) - Leila Salvesen (Scientist)

Marina Orlova (Artist) - Anaïs Notario Reinoso (Scientist)

Sounak Das (Artist) - Olivia Carruba (Scientist)

Exhibition Curation: Kalliopi Ioumpa, Ydwine Zanstra

NeuroNarratives Organizers: Paloma Maldonado, Yulong Huang, Kalliopi Ioumpa

Practical Information

The exhibition will be open from Friday 2 until Sunday 4 October. 

Opening hours main exhibition

Times of symposium and reception drinks

Weekend of Science